India are aiming for a strong comeback in a three-match series against South Africa, where they suffered 31 losses in their first ODI in Pal. The side led by KL Rahul has many questions to answer. The biggest possibility is the absence of Venkatesh Iyer in the bowling offense. Iyer made his ODI debut in Game 1 of the series without hitting a single ball, sparking debate about his role on the team.
Quoting Andile Phehlukwayo’s spell at midfield in the India innings, former South African batsman Daryll Cullinan said Iyer should be used in a similar fashion. Phehlukwayo batted five overs to take two important wickets from Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin. He bowled with the goalkeeper standing up, a strategy that worked for Pant, who was stuck at 16.
“Venkatesh Iyer should be bowling. We saw what Phehlukwayo did with the goalkeeper. Maybe he can provide that change. If he’s playing and untested, he has to get every chance (to prove himself),” Cullinan said. Said on ESPNCricinfo.
Earlier, the decision not to let Iyer bowl in the first ODI was also criticized by former Indian cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Aakash Chopra, who wondered if the team management saw Iyer as an all-rounder. “You could have given him 5-6 times to see how he bowled because you saw him as a generalist,” Gambhir noted during the broadcast. In response, Chopra said, “I don’t know, it seems like you and I are the only ones who see him that way.”
Chopra further referred to Iyer’s appearances in the three T20I series against New Zealand, where he was without the ball in the first two games.
“Because when T20I was there (against New Zealand) Rohit Sharma was the captain. It was the home series against New Zealand and you didn’t give him the ball for the first two games. We keep waiting. This happens every time everyone else. 10 points conceded in the round,” said the former India opener.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
